Listowel co-captain Holdyn Lansink accepts his award for Midwestern Conference Player of the Month for December. Lansink leads the Midwest with 90 points in 39 games.

Listowel uses powerplay to score double digits versus Brantford

The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League's Midwestern Conference has seen a shift atop its standings nearly every week in January. To begin February, there is once again a fresh name leading the pack, although sitting in top spot is hardly new to the Listowel Cyclones this season. For much of the year, Listowel, the Waterloo Siskins and Stratford Warriors have jostled for tops in the Midwest and with a Thursday night game in Brantford, the Cyclones had a chance to climb back into first. 

Special teams were the story of the first period, with Listowel co-captain and leading scorer Holdyn Lansink redirecting a point shot on the powerplay to open the scoring just four minutes in. Brantford's Troy Andrews would respond at the midway point, cleaning up a rebound in front to tie the game on the powerplay. The deadlock was short-lived, though, as Trent Verbeek converted on another Listowel powerplay to give the Cyclones back the lead, and they would not look back.

Listowel's potent offence kicked into high gear in the second frame, scoring twice in the first five minutes, including another Lansink powerplay marker, and extending its lead to four Lansink's third of the night, completing the hattrick before the third period even began. Having built a comfortable 5-1 lead while only giving up 11 shots, Listowel could have coasted through the final frame, but instead took the opportunities afforded to them and made sure that there would be no comeback from the 99ers. The Cycs scored six more times in the third and cruised to an 11-1 victory.

Lansink led the way with four goals and four assists, continuing the torrid pace he has been on all season long. Chayse Herrfort, Trent Verbeek and Brayden Kreiger all chipped in four point efforts for Listowel. With his eight-point output, Lansink hits the 90-point mark in January and extends his Midwestern scoring lead to 24 points, which he holds over linemates Herrfort and Kreiger. He also moves back within striking distance of Niagara Falls' Justin Kyle, who has one more point than Lansink having played one less game. The Cyclones are now tied with Waterloo for first place in the Midwest with ten games remaining. It is sure to be a wild ride in the GOJHL from now until the end of February.